OUR HONOREES
Izumi Hara concluded her term as Chief Volunteer Officer at the YMCA of Montclair, where she served on the Board of Directors for 10 years. Under her leadership, the Y created our strategic plan, weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, and launched the Re-Imagining Camp at the Lake Campaign.
Bringing up three daughters in Montclair, Izumi has been deeply involved in many aspects of the Y’s programming, in particular the Dolphin’s swim team. She is also very connected in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Northern NJ Chapter of the American Red Cross and previously on the board of directors for Partners For Health.
Rao’s Homemade, a Sovos Brand Company, offers authentic sauces made with whole Italian tomatoes and other Italian specialty foods, including premium frozen entrees, slow-simmered soups and bronze die-cut pastas. Each product is made with simplicity in mind, using high-quality ingredients. Find out more at www.raos.com.
"At Sovos Brands, we believe in getting involved with and giving back to our local communities. That’s why we chose to headquarter our Rao’s Homemade office right in the heart of downtown Montclair, where we are immersed in the community. We prioritize partnering with organizations doing good work, like Toni’s Kitchen, Newark West Side High School, and the YMCA of Montclair." - Risa Cretella, Executive Vice President, Group General Manager of Sovos Brands
OUR SPECIAL GUEST HOSTS AND DJ
Briga Heelan, a Massachusetts native, is so happy to be living on the east coast once again! She spent 12 years in Los Angeles working in television, most notably starring alongside Andrea Martin in NBC's Great News, produced by Tina Fey. Other credits include Ground Floor (TBS), Love (Netflix), B Positive (CBS), Undateable (NBC), Cougartown (ABC), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW), Modern Family (ABC), and more.
Most recently, she starred as Cinderella in the Pre Broadway production of "Once Upon A One More Time), an original musical set to the discography of Britney Spears.
Tracie Strahan Award-winning journalist Tracie Strahan is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who regularly appears on Today in New York. She has hosted “Positively Black” – NBC 4 New York’s long-running Public Affairs program that won a 2014 “New York National Association of Black Journalists” award for best programming. Strahan’s commitment to journalistic excellence was recognized with a National Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow award in conjunction with NBC 4 New York’s continuing coverage of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The recipient of the prestigious Newswomen
Club of New York’s 2014 “Front Page” award for breaking news coverage, Strahan has also been awarded two New York Emmy® awards for top live television news reporter (2012) and for team news coverage (2019). A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Strahan earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
DJ Prince Hakim Influenced by the sound of the 80s and today, Prince Hakim has traveled from New York to Tokyo sharing his passion, and spreading his message to “Celebrate Life.” Hakim has DJ’d at a number of events including, the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Art Basel in Miami, and some of the hottest clubs in New York such as La Esquina and Sony Hall. Hakim has also DJ’d for the Clinton Foundation, Tory Burch, and the Carnegie Hall Notables. On top of that, Hakim toured with “Kool & The Gang” as a featured rapper. In a short span of time, Prince Hakim has created a substantial following and brand for himself. With years of professional music experience under his belt, Bell has much to offer to the industry. His wish is to “Celebrate Life” through music and share his talent with the world.